Zi Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Person (rén). Xiē. Kangxi stroke count: 13. Page 115, Position 16.
According to the Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Resource (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), the pronunciation follows the fanqie spelling of initial xiān and final jié, sounding like xuè.
The Explaining Words (Shiyan) section of the Erya (Erya) defines it as sound. The sub-commentary (shù) describes it as a faint or small sound. The Jade Chapters (Yupian) defines it as a small sound. One interpretation suggests that the reduplicated form xiēxiē refers to the sound of moaning.
Additionally, the Expanded Rhymes (Guangyun) and Collected Rhymes provide the fanqie pronunciation of initial xī and final qī, sounding like xī. The meaning is the same.
Textual Research: Regarding the citation from the Erya defining the word as sound, the original text mistakenly referred to the Shigu section. This has been corrected to the Shiyan section.